Mrs. Doud and I spent some years living near the Canadian border, and one thing we never worried about was having Canadians sneak into the U.S. to find work.
What we did worry about, though, was having the Canadians cross the border to shop.
When the value of the Canadian dollar would rise to greater than that of the American dollar, Canadians would swoop into the United States like blackbirds into an almond orchard. They would roar into the towns near the border and spend like fury, mostly on clothes, food and gasoline.
Being clever, however, they would try to beat the Canadian duty on their purchases of clothes by leaving their old rags in the U.S. and wearing their new clothes home.
They would show up in the United States in stuff they would never wear anywhere else — off-colored garments, sometimes with holes in them. They would wear old shoes and threadbare coats.
Once they had purchased their new duds, though, they would go into a public restroom somewhere, or even in an alley, and change into their new purchases. Then they’d stuff their old clothes into the bags in which they had carried the new ones out of the stores and toss those bags into the Dumpster, or even leave them on the sidewalk.
It was a hate-love relationship. Yes, we got mad at them for crowding into our stores, for creating long lines at filling stations and in restaurants, and for leaving their junk about. But the storekeepers loved them for leaving lots of money in the cash registers, and the local governments loved them for leaving lots of sales taxes behind.
Nobody ever talked about closing the border to the Canadians. In fact, the Canadians sometimes talk about closing their border to Americans.
There are no simple answers to cross-border problems.
We have never been overly active in politics at any level. We have always exercised our right to vote but never delved into the details of many issues. We have always been involved in our community through Parent Clubs, Cub Scouts, Little League, Youth Soccer, 4-H and now FFA. We fully understand with the financial instability of our government all the way down to our household, changes must occur. Governmental services must be evaluated and prioritized as we have done in our own household. We have identified things in our household that are truly not necessities; these things have been eliminated or reduced. We have modified all things within our power without impacting our core needs or responsibilities.
In regards to high school bussing, this hits close to our front door. In fact it has ignited a spark in my wife that I am in awe of. My wife, Leah, has become very involved with this issue, becoming very knowledgeable in this and many areas of our local government. She is attending school board and electoral meeting all over our city, and I can proudly say even our children are interested and involved. She spends many hours researching the impact of losing busing to our community, environment, and mostly our children.
As parents or older siblings replace school buses there are negative impacts on safety, traffic, health, and the environment. The average school bus transports 54 students, replacing approximately 36 family vehicles. Each family conveying their child to school uses approximately 180 additional gallons of fuel per year, equaling $663 for fuel, and 3,600 miles on their car. Annually, approximately 800 school-age children are killed in motor-vehicle crashes during school travel hours. About 2 percent of these deaths occur on school buses, while 74 percent occur in private vehicles. Approximately 22 percent are bicycle or pedestrian accidents.
More than half of these deaths are due to a teen driver. As much as 30 percent of morning traffic is generated by parents driving children to schools. Half of children struck by cars near schools are hit by parents driving children to school. Children exposed to traffic pollution are more likely to have asthma, lung deficits, and a higher risk of heart and lung problems as adults. One-third of schools are in “air pollution danger zones” due to proximity to high-traffic areas.
These statistics are very disturbing and definitely put the effected children at risk. These issues have been raised at community gatherings, the responses have been in line with: Their parents should drive them, high school students should be able to drive, or the most ridiculous “ride a bike to school.” While there are some alternatives to completely eliminating bus service on the table these still put our children at risk. As I mentioned our children have shown an eagerness to be involved, but as a parent I struggle with how to explain the decisions being made by the board members involved.
The comment that stuck in my head was what I believe to be an ignorant response stating “children should walk or ride a bike.” These officials have no concept of what that would involve. My first response was, “I would like to see any of the officials ride a bike or walk from Lake Madera to Madera South High.”
I wondered how long it would take to walk from our home to Madera South. I decided to make the walk and see. As I started out towards the high school, I noticed there is no truly safe place to walk. I was walking on the edge of the road, as there are no sidewalks or street lights. As I cut through an orchard I thought about previous walks across this orchard. I have personally seen dumped-off dead animals, we have heard that our neighbors’ son found a dead body here several years ago. Once on Road 28 1/2 I was back on a 55-mph road with no shoulder or bike lane. While I was walking on the edge of the road, there were many vehicles passing. It was disconcerting when cars were coming from both directions, as they were very close. I continued into and through town. By the way, I had been passed by our hard-working skilled bus driver, since I was on road 28 1/2. It was nice to know they were conveying our children safely without incident.
Once within view of the school, my feet were killing me but I had a great sense of accomplishment. I believe I had just completed a journey no child of any age should undertake. I can assure you, if your child had to make this trip they would not be focusing on school work nor would they be able to make the return trip seven hours later
Not having bus service will cost the school district more than is anticipated. Many kids are already going to charter schools or are home schooled and these numbers will increase. Those of us who cannot afford the added expense of additional cars, maintenance, fuel and insurance for teens would be forced to find other alternatives to public schools. We must work to maintain an income so we can patronize local businesses, pay taxes, and fees that keep the local government functioning. Fewer students in the public school system will decrease revenues from state funding. Where will that leave the school district? When one prioritizes the needs of those it serves, it must not overlook the effects of its decisions when they may drive away those it serves.
A lot of speculation in the Eastern press is focused on whether Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is a lesbian. If she were, would it be important? I think not. What she does in private is nobody’s business, as long as it does no harm and breaks no law. From that standpoint, the speculation means nothing. It’s just meat for The National Enquirer to chew on.
She could put the matter to rest by just stating her preferences, one way or another. She had to know the subject would come up when she became the nominee for the court. Ignoring it won’t make the speculation go away. It could lead to apocryphal stories that do her some real harm. Now, she is close to being a first-tier public figure, basically impossible to libel. It could get tough.
Several of Kagan’s longtime friends have gone on record to the Atlantic magazine and political bloggers. They say she is straight. She dated men when young, they say, but never found the right one to marry. Also, they say, she was ambitious, hard-working and focused on her career. She didn’t have time for romance in her life.
The nominee isn’t helping with the matter at all. She is on record as being opposed to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. She famously banned the military from recruiting at Harvard over that policy. However, that is the policy she, herself, is following. “I won’t tell you, so don’t ask me,” is how it may be couched. That may prove to be a mistake.
Many people have chosen to live single lifestyles. Catholic priests and nuns come to mind. President James Buchanan was a lifelong-bachelor. He was engaged once, but his fiancé broke off the engagement. Nobody knows why.
Grover Cleveland was a bachelor when he was elected president. He later married in the White house.
Warren Harding’s wife is thought to have poisoned him. Which might have made him wish he had stayed single.
Congratulations goes out to those elementary wrestling coaches, wrestlers and their schools in Madera Unified School District.
Their efforts during a six-week season have given our young athletes the opportunity to be successful at the high school and college level. A special thanks to our high school wrestlers and coaches for running a great district tournament.
Since 1974, wrestling has flourished in our elementary schools. Many of our coaches are past Madera High School wrestlers. It’s no wonder Madera wrestling is one of two sports yearly making bids for valley and state honors.
Corky Napier,
retired head coach of Madera wrestling, 1972-2004
All comments are edited for length and content. Because of content or space limitations, some comments may not be published. More than one comment from the same person during the same week will normally not be published. Please limit calls to two minutes or less.
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“The homeless go around taking bottles and cans out of recycle bins so they can have money,” said a man. “They seem to have more dollars than our supervisors and police officers.”
A woman called “to thank the city for the choice made at Rotary Park. It’s a really great park. The only problem is the homeless people hang around there, lying on blankets, and asking children for money as they pass by. We went to eat lunch and I looked at my 2-year-old niece and she had her hand in puke. It was really disgusting. I had to quickly wash her off. I was really disappointed in the dirtiness of the park.”
One lady called about the dog park and said, “It wasn’t necessary. Our parks really need some help as far as the picnic areas. We could have used another ball field, another soccer field. To tie up the whole area for dogs is beyond me.”
But another woman “wanted to thank the parks department for installing the dog park. I just love it, and so does my dog. We have met a lot of nice people there and we are the envy of all our out-of-town friends.”
Several messages were received about last week’s call asking for the National Little League board of directors to resign. A man wanted “to piggyback off of the man who called about the Madera National Little League board. I agree (but) I believe a few board members could stay… Then there’s the question of where the money is going. I paid for several children to play.”
A woman had a similar comment when she said, “Last week’s call about the National Little League was right on. The 15 board members should all resign at the end of the season. They give no respect to the volunteers and coaches who spend countless hours working with these young players.”
A lady “just wanted to say, I really enjoyed (editor) Mr. Doud’s article about Dixieland School in his editorial. I didn’t know the school board could close down the school without first consulting the parents. (Editor’s note: the board rescinded it’s decision to close Dixieland.)
A gentleman left a message “for publisher/editor Mr. Doud. Who was your English teacher? In Saturday’s op-ed (editorial) you used the word snuck. The word is sneaked. Are you afraid of using proper English?” (Editor’s note: I thought I could sneak snuck past you. I guess I was wrong. Sorry.)
A woman commented on Leon Emo’s column on May 7 regarding his omission of a Mother’s Day tribute. “You go, Elmo, with your positive attitude. Forget those energy vampires and keep up with the good work and positive energy.”
She also said, “I love the Madera stores run by owners who speak little English. You pay money to go shopping on an (indiscernible) street in Los Angeles. In Madera, I just bought a piggy bank and a rooster for my garden. I was so delighted. I just love little towns. Take your Spanish dictionary, and go shopping. The merchants are very nice. They will give you a good deal.”
A woman responded to the man who complained “about soccer players moving into Town and Country Park.” This week’s caller said, “It doesn’t matter who you are, you can choose which park to go to.”
A man “responded to sports editor Paul Stanford’s article regarding the (Madera High) Coyotes and Clovis West baseball game. Are you kidding me? The greatest win in Coyote history? That is so far off base. What about all those teams and wins of the 1970s and ’80s?
“Also, the Coyote (baseball) coach needs to quit making excuses on why they aren’t winning. Just work harder. Speaking of working harder, maybe Paul Stanford should start looking into local sports. Not a single article about Little League, Bobby Sox, or soccer. That’s the future of Madera sports. Let’s give them some coverage.”
“Thank God for S.N.A.P.,” said a woman about the weekly Thursday food giveaway. “The program that gives food to senior citizens for a dollar. We have senior citizens who get up at 4 o’clock in the morning to get the food set up. Why should you complain? You should be grateful to live in a country that cares about old folks.”
“Whatever happened to the curbs being painted red near the fire hydrants?” asked a woman. “Right there on Sherwood (Avenue) they are parked there right next to the fire hydrant.”
A lady thought “it was absolutely deplorable that one of your columnists is giving free publicity to one of the candidates in the 29th Assembly District. It is not fair, and is not what the Tribune stands for as I understand it.”
A man responded “to the article by Bill Coate on candidate (Don) McKinney. I realize the conservatism in 1969 when Vietnam protesters tried to take over the Ag School at Fresno State. I would like to know which branch of service McKinney ran out and joined as all other patriots did. Also in 1969 the term conservatism wasn’t so popular, though I may be mistaken. I believe that term has really taken off since Republicans have become ashamed of being called Republicans. Now they’re all conservatives.”
A woman “was very appreciative for the California poppies on (Highway) 145 south of Madera to the San Joaquin River. Whoever is responsible we sure want to thank you and we enjoy the fruit of your labor.”
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The Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478 or visiting www.maderatribuneredline.com.
A very special thank you to all who helped the Norman Gould Education School families during this past Christmas season, December 2009.
Madera County is blessed with many generous individuals. As in the past years, we have had an overwhelming response in helping make the Christmas season a little brighter for families from the Norman Gould Education Center. We gave to 56 families this year, providing them with gifts of clothing, household items, blankets, toys and food and food certificates amounting to $1,050. These families all had children with special needs who attended the Norman Gould Center. The families convey their heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously.
In addition to helping these families, the Madera County employees’ Giving Tree gave $500 to the Madera Christmas Baskets. This money was raised through bake sales during the year, and we thank our Retiree Volunteers — Hermine Reiring, Velma and David Wammack, Jessie Hench, and Jackie Emo — for their time and help, and all county employees who gave and purchased baked goods.
Thank you to the following individuals, churches, organizations, and the Madera County departments:
Administration, Agriculture Commissioner, Agricultural Extension, Assessor, Board of Supervisors and Board Clerk, Child Support Services, Corrections, County Clerk-Recorder, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Probation, Juvenile Hall, Boot Camp. Also, RMA Departments: Administration, Engineering, Environmental Health, Planning, Road Department, Social Services. Individuals Ryan Ely, lla Schoettler family, Tim Schoettler, Terri Skinner, Charlotte Wayne, Marsha Williams.
Churches and Organizations: Harvest Community Church Group, United Methodist Church, Bowling Team (Jutta Webb), Madera Community Hospital, Madera South High School Fashion Club, Midland Tractor, PEO, Rebekah Lodge #159, TOPS, Volunteer Police, and 4-H Clubs of Berenda, Chowchilla, Dixieland, Howard and Sierra Shadow. Madera Courts, Civil, Court Administration, Court Services, Criminal, Family, Juvenile, Traffic. Madera County Office of Education.
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity.
Madera County Employees’ Giving Tree,
Rita Wilson and Douglas Nelson
Thank you for taking the time to include information about the candidates in a special section of the newspaper (May 17). I join you in applauding every one of the candidates for stepping up and placing their name on the ballot.
I also read your article about the fund-raising of each of the candidates. It is no secret that running a campaign these days, including ads in the paper and signs, are expensive, and we should not be surprised to see that candidates raise money to offset the cost.
I think readers should know about District 2 supervisorial candidate Justin White’s success at raising money. Just a couple of weeks ago Justin’s campaign stepped up and sponsored my Relay For Life team, dedicated to the memory of my dad, Deputy Sheriff Randy Belt. Again, this last weekend, I watched Justin participate in the Junior Livestock Auction at the County Fair, where he generously purchased five animals from students who had worked hard on their 4-H and FFA projects. I know that Justin contributed a portion of his campaign funds to other community causes as well, including Little League, Soroptimist, Dairyland School, and helped pay for a field trip for students at Millview School, which isn’t even in District 2.
Justin’s approach to ensuring that his campaign, regardless of the outcome of the election, is one that benefits the community (and) I believe indicates the kind of leader he will be if elected. How many other candidates have made it a point to see to it that everyone benefits from the campaign? Justin is the kind of leader the people of District 2 deserve. Justin is a leader that will support the community every step of the way and that is why he has my vote!
The Legislature, in its lack of wisdom and statesmanship, has resorted to political theft, and in the process has done much harm to California’s communities, including Madera.
Last year, the Democratic-led Legislature, in lieu of a long-term solution to the state’s budget woes, voted to steal money from local redevelopment agencies — money that since the 1950s has been raised and used to help build up substandard neighborhoods and help poor people acquire housing — as it did here.
Redevelopment agencies throughout California had to turn over a total of $2 billion to the state.
In Madera, the grab totaled $2.5 million, and that is ironic. Madera’s redevelopment agency is a model for efficiency and making good use of the tax-increment money it generates — all locally. When the state’s association of redevelopment agencies decided last year to sue the state government, Madera Redevelopment Agency was chosen as the lead plaintiff because it was such a good example of making right use of the funds set aside for community improvement. And the redevelopment agencies prevailed.
The state appealed — and won — and almost immediately siphoned off the money so it could be spent before that appeal could be examined by a higher court.
The Legislature’s excuse — that the money was needed to help local schools — is specious. Of course the schools need help — because the Legislature hasn’t done its job.
Where will these robbing hoods strike next? Will they take sales and fuel taxes due local municipalities and use them instead to keep the prisons open? There go your city’s roads, parks, police, and firefighters if that happens.
Today, we’re celebrating the opening of a new youth center, but we wouldn’t be if the Legislature had struck just two years ago. Redevelopment funds helped build that building, just as they have helped improve the neighborhoods around it.
I attended the Master Gardeners tour for the second year in a row in Madera recently. To my amazement, we went to two of my childhood friends’ homes. The Dearborn home is next door to my parents home on M Street. Lewis and Cornelia Hartwell of Bayside and I, Sarah Betty Deaver of Chowchilla, grew up in that house.
Dr. Ray Russell Dearborn and Octa Hawes Dearborn had the house built in 1912. Octa designed the house herself. It was built just before she had her daughter Elizabeth (Betty) and then her son Bob Dearborn. Their granddaughter, Lucky Crook, and I became best friends.
Joe Aguilar. who owns the house now, graciously let me inside. So many memories came flooding back.
The yard is beautiful, but not as when Octa Dearborn had it. Lucky and I called her Grandi at her request. We played in her beautiful park setting when she would come for the summer months. Gone is the fishpond inside the house on the sun porch, where she kept her spinning wheel. Everything else looks about the same.
The kitchen where Grandi made her homemade bread and jam — oh, so good. The cozy front room where Lucky, her brother Ray and I would sit on a small padded bench in front of the fireplace and listen to Grandi tell us stories, the bedroom where we slept on a trundle bed, the service porch where Lucky and I would crawl through the dog door, made for Bronte, their beautiful Lassie dog that was so lovable. Grandi always gave us a treats of frozen Kool-Aid on a stick.
Gone is the grape arbor that ran along the street with benches at each end, 30 varieties of grapes everywhere, the fruit trees, the pampas grass, the bamboo. The hedge that ran the whole length of the two lots, the arbor carport, by the front door are all gone, but they’re still all there in my memories. The sycamore trees, which separated our yard from theirs, is where my brother Jerry and I would jump from limb to limb like Tarzan and Jane. Never a broken arm or leg! When I got home from touring the gardens. I called Lucky, who now lives in Palm Springs, to tell her of the wonderful experience. We talked for an hour. Her step brother, Ray Galardo, now lives in Bass Lake.
Bob Dearborn was married to Faye, who later married Allen Harkens, who was the band director at (Madera’s) high school, in the 1950s, when I attended. Best band director in the west, according to Kenny Montanari, who lived down the street from us, and was in the band, and Bette Jones Smith, from across the street, who now lives in Las Vegas. Bette and I lived a block from high school and would hear the school bell ringing and run to school. She was a cheerleader.
The second home was Anita Freeman’s home on Yosemite Avenue. We went all through grammar school and high school together. They had a wooden merry-go-round in the backyard. It was so much fun to ride. Now the yard is full of raised vegetable gardens, a fish pond with a water fall and a chicken coop. Her grandparents’ house is on the corner, a lovely, two-story home very nicely kept up and owned by John and Ellen Bryan. It now has a swimming pool and lots of beautiful flowers and shrubs.
Next door on the opposite side was Ms. Jarden, our English teacher and Jane Curry our P.E. teacher. Anita was a cheerleader in high school and I was a pom-pom girl, which you don’t see anymore. Her parents, Glenn and Dorothy Freeman, gave us all wonderful parties at their house as we grew up, and Dorothy was one of our Camp Fire leaders. Anita and her sister Mary Joyce now live in Newport Beach.
Thank you, Master Gardeners, for an unforgettable tour.
If you never have seen the television series “Lost,” dont’ feel you are alone. I’ve never seen it, either, and here it is about to end. I usually am at work when “Lost” is on; or if I’m not, I may be watching an episode of “House Hunters,” which is one of Mrs. Doud’s favorite programs. I enjoy it, too.
I must be back-stroking in a cultural backwater. I seldom have watched any popular television series when it’s initially been broadcast.
I never watched any of the “CSI” series shows in their first incarnations. I got into watching the repeats, though, when I could, and found them enjoyable. Same with the “NCIS” series, the “Law and Order” programs and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
I still enjoy watching the occasional episode of “Home Improvement,” but I never saw it during its original run.
I think I’ve seen almost all the episodes of “Seinfeld,” but I paid no attention to it while it was on the first time.
The reason I mention this is that I have been reading about what a terrific show “Lost” is — at least as far as the TV critics are concerned. I’m sure that when it goes into syndication, I’ll give it a look, at least to see what all the fuss was about.
I’ve only seen one episode of “American Idol” — actually it was just part of an episode. If you had asked me to describe it then, I would have said, “bad singers, exposing themselves to ridicule from oafs.” Apparently, a lot of people disagree with me, and probably would say I was an old fogie who couldn’t understand how much fun it was to see fools tangling with idiots. They would be right.
Well, see you later. I’m off to watch “America’s Funniest Home Videos” — the reruns, of course.
And when it comes to video games — well, I’m just getting started learning “Donkey Kong.”
